MONTCLAIR, NJ — NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles joined Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo and the mayors of Montclair, Glen Ridge and Bloomfield today to announce the start of weekend rail service on a portion of the Montclair-Boonton Line from Bay Street Station in Montclair to Newark and Hoboken Terminal.

“New Jersey has long been recognized as a national leader for providing safe, reliable public transit options,” said Governor Jon S. Corzine. “This new weekend rail service is one more building block in an expansive transportation infrastructure that will take cars off the road, increase travel access to shopping, recreation and entertainment venues and create economic opportunities for our citizens.”

“The people of Montclair, Glen Ridge and Bloomfield and other communities have waited a long time for weekend service,” said Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-8), who has served on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “Not only will this additional rail service encourage the people who live in these towns to use mass transit while they have their weekend fun, but it will also allow more people access to the shopping areas, recreational facilities and restaurants that these great communities have to offer.”

Starting Sunday, November 8, NJ TRANSIT will begin weekend trains with a demonstration rail service by extending existing train shuttles west to Bay Street Station in Montclair, that today operate only between Hoboken Terminal and Newark Broad Street on weekends.

Trains will operate approximately every two hours to and from Hoboken with stops at Bay Street, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Watsessing Avenue and Newark Broad Street stations, and will give customers the opportunity to connect at Newark Broad Street to Midtown Direct service to New York or to points west on the Morris & Essex Lines.

“NJ TRANSIT is able to extend existing trains west at virtually no cost, and without impacting existing train schedules or putting more strain on limited capacity at the Hudson River tunnels – which are under construction on weekends,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles.

“Initiating weekend train service on the Montclair-Boonton Line at the Bay Street Station is another example of how NJ TRANSIT has been responsive to our residents' concerns,” said Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo. “This service enhances access to Montclair and Essex County for business and leisure travel and provides travelers the chance to use less energy and help protect the environment by using mass transportation.”

“I am thrilled that Montclair residents will be able to take a safe, convenient and eco-friendly train into New York and Newark,” said Montclair Mayor Jerry Fried. “They will be able to leave their cars at home or at the Bay Street station, where the parking will be free through 2009. This is a great step forward, laying the groundwork for complete service that will link Montclair State University to the rest of the City and points east.”

“With two train stations, robust bus service and a community shuttle, public transportation is a vital part of the Township,” said Bloomfield Mayor Raymond McCarthy. “We look forward to welcoming weekend rail service in the near future.”

“As far as the extension of weekend train service to Glen Ridge and Montclair goes, I am very excited with this new development,” said Glen Ridge Mayor Peter A. Hughes. “Limited weekend service will be a benefit to the residents of Glen Ridge who wish to travel to New York City on weekends and holidays. Trains are a great way to travel. They are safe and operate at low cost to riders and to the environment.”

Weekend Schedule - TO NEWARK/HOBOKEN

510

514

518

522

526

530

534

538

544

A.M.

A.M.

A.M.

P.M.

P.M.

P.M.

P.M.

P.M.

A.M.

Bay Street (Montclair)

7.05

9.05

11.05

1.05

3.05

5.05

7.05

9.05

12.05

Glen Ridge

7.07

9.07

11.07

1.07

3.07

5.07

7.07

9.07

12.07

Bloomfield

7.10

9.10

11.10

1.10

3.10

5.10

7.10

9.10

12.10

Watsessing Avenue

7.12

9.12

11.12

1.12

3.12

5.12

7.12

9.12

12.12

ARRIVE Newark Broad St.

7.18

9.18

11.18

1.18

3.18

5.18

7.18

9.18

12.18

DEPART Newark Broad St.

7.24

9.24

11.24

1.24

3.24

5.24

7.24

9.24

12.24

HOBOKEN

7.44

9.44

11.42

1.44

3.44

5.42

7.44

9.44

12.42

CONNECTION DEPARTNewark Broad St.

7.21

9.21

11.21

1.21

3.21

5.21

7.21

9.21

12.21

Secaucus Junction

7.31

9.32

11.31

1.31

3.31

5.31

7.31

9.32

12.31

NEW YORK

7.44

9.46

11.44

1.44

3.44

5.44

7.44

9.45

12.44

Weekend Schedule - TO BAY STREET MONTCLAIR

513

515

519

523

527

531

535

539

545

509

A.M.

A.M.

A.M.

P.M.

P.M.

P.M.

P.M.

P.M.

P.M.

A.M.

NEW YORK

6.11

8.11

10.11

12.11

2.11

4.11

6.11

8.11

11.11

1.34

Secaucus Junction

6.20

8.20

10.20

12.20

2.20

4.20

6.20

8.20

11.20

1.43

ARRIVE Newark Broad St.

6.30

8.30

10.30

12.30

2.30

4.30

6.30

8.30

11.30

1.53

HOBOKEN

6.08

8.08

10.10

12.10

2.09

4.08

6.10

8.08

11.08

1.32

ARRIVE Newark Broad St.

6.26

8.26

10.26

12.26

2.27

4.26

6.26

8.26

11.26

1.48

DEPART Newark Broad St.

6.33

8.33

10.33

12.33

2.33

4.33

6.33

8.33

11.33

1.56

Watsessing Avenue

L 6.39

L 8.39

L 10.39

L 12.39

L 2.39

L 4.39

L 6.39

L 8.39

L 11.39

L 2.02

Bloomfield

L 6.41

L 8.41

L 10.41

L 12.41

L 2.41

L 4.41

L 6.41

L 8.41

L 11.41

L 2.04

Glen Ridge

L 6.43

L 8.43

L 10.43

L 12.43

L 2.43

L 4.43

L 6.43

L 8.43

L 11.43

L 2.06

Bay Street (Montclair)

6.46

8.46

10.46

12.46

2.46

4.46

6.46

8.46

11.46

2.09

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 895,000 weekday trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 12 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 165 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.